2025 tested the foundry industry like it hasn't in many years. Volumes dropped, forecasts evaporated, and many companies found themselves stuck between rising costs and shrinking demand. In this Gold Nugget, Fabian Niklas and Staffan Zetterström reflect on what really went wrong in 2025 and why 2026 will be the year that separates those who merely survive from those who actively shape their future.

This conversation is about decision-making, responsibility, and positioning. Not waiting for OEMs. Not hoping for better portals. But deliberately preparing, technically, strategically, and personally, to look back at the end of 2026 and say: That was a turning point.

Key Topics

* 2026 as the decision year: Why overcapacity, consolidation, and bankruptcies will force hard choices and why hesitation may be the most dangerous strategy of all.

* Where real opportunities are emerging in casting: Beyond the gigacasting headlines, the discussion explores why certain machine sizes, alloys, and applications are quietly gaining traction and why margins won’t come from where everyone is looking.

* The return of metallurgy as a profit driver: Sustainability, alloy flexibility, scrap usage, and property optimization are no longer “nice to have.” They are becoming decisive competitive factors.

* Why branding is no longer optional: From company brands to personal brands, visibility and trust are shaping who gets invited into new developments and who remains just another line in a comparison sheet.

* How software, data, and new roles change the game: As process windows shrink and complexity rises, the episode dives into why software, knowledge capture, and interdisciplinary thinking will define efficient production going forward.

* Why Asia will matter more than ever: A clear-eyed look at where growth, investment, and experimentation are accelerating and what that means for European foundries and professionals.

“Waiting for portals and RFQs is no longer a strategy; owning your future is.”

One theme runs through the entire episode: ownership. Ownership of knowledge. Ownership of decisions. Ownership of visibility. The industry is moving away from one-size-fits-all alloys, static specifications, and passive supplier roles. In their place come specialization, branding, smarter processes, and people willing to learn fast and act early.

2026 won’t be easy, but for those who invest in skills, systems, and credibility now, it can become a defining year. This episode is both a reality check and a call to action for anyone who wants to be relevant, profitable, and future-proof in the foundry industry.

Thank you for listening. We’ll see you in the next episode, where we’ll continue to bring you the latest insights and updates from the casting world. Don’t forget to ask questions, write comments, or make suggestions for future episodes.

We hope to meet you at the Euroguss!

Fabian and Staffan